Hydroxycucurbituril derivatives, their preparation methods and uses

ABSTRACT

Provided are hydroxycucurbituril derivatives, their preparation methods and uses. The hydroxycucurbituril derivative is easy to further functionalize with enhanced solubility in common solvents, thereby providing wider applications.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to hydroxycucurbituril derivatives, theirpreparation methods and uses, and more particularly, hydroxycucurbiturilderivatives which can easily introduce substituents according to uses,their preparation methods and uses.

2. Description of the Related Art

Cucurbituril was first reported by R. Behrend, E. Meyer and F. Rusche in1905. According to their report (Liebigs Ann. Chem. 1905, 339, 1.), thecondensation of glycoluril and excess formaldehyde in the presence ofhydrochloric acid (HCl) produces an amorphous solid. Dissolution of thesolid in hot concentrated sulfuric acid, dilution of the solution withwater followed by slow cooling of the solution to room temperatureproduces a crystalline material. They wrongly characterized thissubstance as C₁₀H₁₁N₇O₄.2H₂O without discovery of its structure.

In 1981, this substance was rediscovered by Mock and coworkers. Theycorrectly characterized it as a hexameric macrocyclic compound withcomposition of C₃₆H₃₆N₂₄O₁₂, which was also confirmed by X-ray crystalstructure determination (J. Am. Chem. Soc., 1981, 103, 7367). They namedit cucurbituril which we from now on refer to as cucurbit[6]uril. Sincethen an improved preparation procedure for cucurbit[6]uril has beendisclosed (DE 196 03 377 A1).

In 2000, Kim and coworkers synthesized novel cucurbit[6]uril homologuesthereof, cucurbit[n]uril (n=5, 7, 8) and isolated the same, which wereconfirmed by X-ray crystal structure determination (J. Am. Chem. Soc.,2000, 122, 540).

WO 00/68232 discloses cucurbit[n]uril having the formula:

wherein n is an integer between 4 and 20.

The cucurbituril derivatives are compounds of substitutent-freeglycoluril monomers.

A cucurbituril deriviative synthesized from glycoluril having asubstituent introduced thereto has been reported (Angew. Chem. Int. Ed.Engl. 1992, 31, 1475). According to this report,decamethylcucurbit[5]uril was synthesized using fivedimethanodimethylglycoluril units forming a cyclic structure by thecondensation of dimethylglycoluril and formaldehyde.

However, in the cucurbiturils and their derivatives proposed up to now,it is not easy to introduce functional groups thereto by substitution,and thus their applications are limited. Also, in order to producesubstituted cucurbituril derivatives, different glycoluril monomers mustbe synthesized and subjected to cyclization, making their syntheticmethods complex.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

To solve the above problems, an objective of the present invention is toprovide hydroxycucurbituril derivatives, which can easily introducesuitable substitutents according to uses.

It is another objective of the present invention to provide preparationmethods of the hydroxycucurbituril derivatives.

It is still another objective of the present invention to provide usesof the hydroxycucurbituril derivatives.

In an embodiment, the present invention provides hydroxycucurbiturilderivatives represented by the formula 1:

wherein at least one among nA₁ and nA₂ is selected from the groupconsisting of hydroxy, substituted or unsubstituted C1-C30 alkyloxy,substituted or unsubstituted C1-C30 alkenyloxy, substituted orunsubstituted C1-C30 alkynyloxy, substituted or unsubstituted C2-C30carbonylalkyloxy, substituted or unsubstituted C1-C30 thioalkyloxy,substituted or unsubstituted C1-C30 alkylthioloxy, substituted orunsubstituted C1-C30 hydroxyalkyloxy, C1-C30 hydroxyalkylloxy,substituted or unsubstituted C1-C30 alkylsilyloxy, substituted orunsubstituted C1-C30 aminoalkyloxy, substituted or unsubstituted C1-C30aminoalkylthiolalkyloxy, substituted or unsubstituted C5-C30cycloalkyloxy, substituted or unsubstituted C2-C30 heterocycloalkyloxy,substituted or unsubstituted C6-C30 aryloxy, substituted orunsubstituted C6-C20 arylalkyloxy, substituted or unsubstituted C4-C30heteroaryloxy, substituted or unsubstituted C4-C30 heteroarylalkyloxy;substituted or unsubstituted C1-C30 alkylthio, substituted orunsubstituted C1-C30 alkenylthio, substituted or unsubstituted C1-C30alkynylthio, substituted or unsubstituted C2-C30 carbonylalkylthio,substituted or unsubstituted C1-C30 thioalkylthio, substituted orunsubstituted C1-C30 hydroxyalkylthio, substituted or unsubstitutedC1-C30 alkylsilylthio, substituted or unsubstituted C1-C30aminoalkylthio, substituted or unsubstituted C1-C30aminoalkylthiolalkylthio, substituted or unsubstituted C5-C30cycloalkylthio, substituted or unsubstituted C2-C30heterocycloalkylthio, substituted or unsubstituted C6-C30 arylthio,substituted or unsubstituted C6-C20 arylalkylthio, substituted orunsubstituted C4-C30 heteroarylthio, substituted or unsubstituted C4-C30heteroarylalkylthio; substituted or unsubstituted C1-C30 alkylamine,substituted or unsubstituted C1-C30 alkenylamine, substituted orunsubstituted C1-C30 alkynylamine, substituted or unsubstituted C2-C30carbonylalkylamine, substituted or unsubstituted C1-C30 thioalkylamine,substituted or unsubstituted C1-C30 hydroxyalkylamine, substituted orunsubstituted C1-C30 alkylsilylamine, substituted or unsubstitutedC1-C30 aminoalkylamine, substituted or unsubstituted C1-C30aminoalkylthiolalkylamine, substituted or unsubstituted C5-C30cycloalkylamine, substituted or unsubstituted C2-C30heterocycloalkylamine, substituted or unsubstituted C6-C30 arylamine,substituted or unsubstituted C6-C20 arylalkylamine, substituted orunsubstituted C4-C30 heteroarylamine, and substituted or unsubstitutedC4-C30 heteroarylalkylamine, A₁ and A₂ are both hydrogen (H), X is O, Sor NH, and n is an integer between 4 and 20.

In another aspect, the invention provides methods of preparinghydroxycucurbituril derivatives represented by the formula 1; themethods include alkylation or carboxylation of hydroxycucurbiturilrepresented by the formula 5:

wherein A₁ is OR₁, A₂ is OR₂, X is O, S or NH, R₁ and R₂ areindependently selected from the group consisting of H, substituted orunsubstituted C1-C30 alkyl, substituted or unsubstituted C1-C30 alkenyl,substituted or unsubstituted C1-C30 alkynyl, substituted orunsubstituted C2-C30 carbonylalkyl substituted or unsubstituted C1-C30thioalkyl, substituted or unsubstituted, C1-C30 alkylthiol, substitutedor unsubstituted C1-C30 alkoxy, substituted or unsubstituted C1-C30hydroxyalkyl, substituted or unsubstituted C1-C30 alkylsilyl,substituted or unsubstituted C1-C30 aminoalkyl, substituted orunsubstituted C1-C30 aminoalkylthioalkyl, substituted or unsubstitutedC5-C30 cycloalkyl, substituted or unsubstituted C2-C30 heterocycloalkyl,substituted or unsubstituted C6-C30 aryl, substituted or unsubstitutedC6-C20 arylalkyl, substituted or unsubstituted C4-C30 heteroaryl andsubstituted or unsubstituted C4-C20 heteroarylalkyl, and n is an integerbetween 4 and 20.

Alternatively, the present invention is achieved by methods of preparinghydroxycucurbituril derivatives represented by the formula 1; themethods include the reaction of hydroxycucurbituril represented by theformula 5 with thiol:

wherein A₁ is SR₁, A₂ is SR₂, X is O, S or NH, R₁ and R₂ areindependently selected from the group consisting of H, substituted orunsubstituted C1-C30 alkyl, substituted or unsubstituted C1-C30 alkenyl,substituted or unsubstituted C1-C30 alkynyl, substituted orunsubstituted C2-C30 carbonylalkyl, substituted or unsubstituted C1-C30thioalkyl, substituted or unsubstituted C1-C30 alkylthiol, substitutedor unsubstituted C1-C30 alkoxy, substituted or unsubstituted C1-C30hydroxyalkyl, substituted or unsubstituted C1-C30 alkylsilyl,substituted or unsubstituted C1-C30 aminoalkyl, substituted orunsubstituted C1-C30 aminoalkylthioalkyl, substituted or unsubstitutedC5-C30 cycloalkyl, substituted or unsubstituted C2-C30 heterocycloalkyl,substituted or unsubstituted C6-C30 aryl, substituted or unsubstitutedC6-C20 arylalkyl, substituted or unsubstituted C4-C30 heteroaryl andsubstituted or unsubstituted C4-C20 heteroarylalkyl, and n is an integerbetween 4 and 20.

Also, the present invention is achieved by methods of preparinghydroxycucurbituril derivatives represented by the formula 1; themethods include the reaction of hydroxycucurbituril represented by theformula 5 with amine:

wherein A₁ is NHR₁, A₂ is NHR₂, X is O, S or NH, R₁ and R₂ areindependently selected from the group consisting of H, substituted orunsubstituted C1-C30 alkyl, substituted or unsubstituted C1-C30 alkenyl,substituted or unsubstituted C1-C30 alkynyl, substituted orunsubstituted C2-C30 carbonylalkyl, substituted or unsubstituted C1-C30thioalkyl, substituted or unsubstituted C1-C30 alkylthiol, substitutedor unsubstituted C1-C30 alkoxy, substituted or unsubstituted C1-C30hydroxyalkyl, substituted or unsubstituted C1-C30 alkylsilyl,substituted or unsubstituted C1-C30 aminoalkyl, substituted orunsubstituted C1-C30 aminoalkylthioalkyl, substituted or unsubstitutedC5-C30 cycloalkyl, substituted or unsubstituted C2-C30 heterocycloalkyl,substituted or unsubstituted C6-C30 aryl, substituted or unsubstitutedC6-C20 arylalkyl, substituted or unsubstituted C4-C30 heteroalkyl andsubstituted or unsubstituted C4-C20 heteroarylalkyl, and n is an integerbetween 4 and 20.

In still another aspect, the present invention also demonstrates an ionsensor employing the hydroxycucurbituril derivatives as ion selectivematerials.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

The above and other features and advantages of the present inventionwill become more apparent by describing in detail exemplary embodimentsthereof with reference to the attached drawing in which:

FIG. 1 is a diagram of the X-ray crystal structure ofhydroxycucurbit[6]uril (CB[6]^(OH)) prepared in Synthesis Example 1 ofthe present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides hydroxycucurbituril derivativesrepresented by the formula 1:

wherein n, A₁, A₂, n and X are as defined as above.

Examples of the hydroxycucurbituril derivatives represented by theformula 1 include compounds represented by formulas 2 through 4:

wherein R₁ and R₂ are independently selected from the group consistingof H, substituted or unsubstituted C1-C30 alkyl, substituted orunsubstituted C1-C30 alkenyl, substituted or unsubstituted C1-C30alkynyl, substituted or unsubstituted C2-C30 carbonylalkyl, substitutedor unsubstituted C1-C30 thioalkyl, substituted or unsubstituted isC1-C30 alkylthiol, substituted or unsubstituted C1-C30 alkoxy,substituted or unsubstituted C1-C30 hydroxyalkyl, substituted orunsubstituted C1-C30 alkylsilyl, substituted or unsubstituted C1-C30aminoalkyl, substituted or unsubstituted C1-C30 aminoalkylthioalkyl,substituted or unsubstituted C5-C30 cycloalkyl, substituted orunsubstituted C2-C30 heterocycloalkyl, substituted or unsubstitutedC6-C30 aryl, substituted or unsubstituted C6-C20 arylalkyl, substitutedor unsubstituted C4-C30 heteroaryl and substituted or unsubstitutedC4-C20 heteroarylalkyl, X is O, S or NH, and n is an integer between 4and 20.

Examples of the hydroxycucurbituril derivatives represented by theformula 1 also include compounds represented by formulas 8 through 11:

wherein X, n, R₁ and R₂ are defined as above, and a and b are integersindependently in the range from 4 to 20 provided that the sum of a and bis in the range from 4 to 20.

Among the hydroxycucurbituril derivatives represented by the formula 1,more preferred examples include compounds represented in Formulas 2through 4, wherein n is an integer between 5 and 10, and R₁ and R₂ areindependently hydrogen, allyl (propylene), propynyl, C1-C30alkyloxycarbonyl, C1-C30 alkylcarbonyl, and C1-C30 aminoalkyl.

The hydroxycucurbiturils according to the present invention representedby the Formula 5 have a hydroxy group so that various substituents canbe easily introduced by alkylation and carboxylation, providing widerapplications.

Examples of the compound having a substituent introduced using thehydroxycucurbituril include a compound wherein X═O, n=5˜8, andR₁═R₂=butyl, a compound wherein X═O, n=5˜8, and R₁═R₂=allyl, and acompound wherein X═O, n=5˜8, and R₁═R₂=dodecanoyl(carbonylundecyl).

The above-mentioned compounds are highly soluble in organic solventssuch as dimethylsulfoxide, chloroform, methylene chloride or methanol.

Examples of the substituents used in the present invention, i.e.,unsubstituted C1-C30 alkyl, include methyl, ethyl, propyl, n-butyl,isobutyl, sec-butyl, pentyl, iso-amyl, hexyl, dodecyl and hexadecyl. Oneor more hydrogen atoms in the alkyl group, can be substituted by halogenatom, hydroxy, nitro, cyano, amino, amidino, hydrazine, hydrazone,carboxy or their salts; sulfonic acid or its salt; phosphoric acid orits salt; or C1-C20 alkyl, alkenyl or alkynyl, C1-C20 heteroalkyl,C6-C20 aryl, C6-C20 arylalkyl, C6-C20 heteroaryl or C6-C20heteroarylalkyl.

The term “unsubstituted C1-C30 alkenyl or alkynyl” used as thesubstituent in the present invention stands for hydrocarbon groupscontaining at least one carbon to carbon double bond or triple bond inthe middle or end portion of the chain of the alkyl as defined above.Exemplary unsubstituted such groups include ethylene, propylene,butylene, hexylene, acetylene, and the like. One or more hydrogen atomsin the alkenyl or alkynyl group can be substituted by halogen atom,hydroxy, nitro, cyano, amino, amidino, hydrazine, hydrazone, carboxy ortheir salts; sulfonic acid or its salt; phosphoric acid or its salt; orC1-C20 alkyl, alkenyl or alkynyl, C1-C20 heteroalkyl, C6-C20 aryl,C6-C20 arylalkyl, C6-C20 heteroaryl or C6-C20 heteroarylalkyl.

Exemplary C2-C30 carbonylalkyl groups used as the substituents in thepresent invention include acetyl (carbonylmethyl), butyryl(carbonylpropyl), octanoyl (carbonylheptyl), dodecanoyl(carbonylundecyl), and the like. One or more hydrogen atoms in thecarbonylalkyl group can be substituted by various substituents like thehydrogen atoms in the C1-C30 alkyl group.

Exemplary C1-C30 thioalkyl groups used as the substituents in thepresent invention include thiobutyl, thiooctyl, thiopropyl, and thelike. One or more hydrogen atoms in the C1-C30 thioalkyl group can besubstituted by various substituents like the hydrogen atoms in theC1-C30 alkyl group.

Exemplary C1-C30 alkylthio groups used as the substituents in thepresent invention include butylthio, propylthio, octylthio, and thelike. One or more hydrogen atoms in the C1-C30 alkylthio group can besubstituted by various substituents like the hydrogen atoms in theC1-C30 alkyl group.

Exemplary C1-C30 hydroxyalkyl groups used as the substituents in thepresent invention include hydroxyethyl, hydroxybutyl, and the like. Oneor more hydrogen atoms in the C1-C30 alkylthio group can be substitutedby various substituents like the hydrogen atoms in the C1-C30 alkylgroup.

Exemplary C1-C30 alkylsilyl groups used as the substituents in thepresent invention include triethoxysilylpropyl, and the like. One ormore hydrogen atoms in the C1-C30 alkylsilyl group can be substituted byvarious substituents like the hydrogen atoms in the C1-C30 alkyl group.

Exemplary C1-C30 aminoalkyl groups used as the substituents in thepresent invention include aminoethyl, aminobutyl, aminopropyl, and thelike. One or more hydrogen atoms in the aminoalkyl group can besubstituted by various substituents like the hydrogen atoms in theC1-C30 alkyl group.

The term “cycloalkyl” used as the substituent in the present inventionstands for a C5-C30 monovalent monocycloalkyl group, and examples ofsuch group include cyclohexyl, cyclopentyl, and the like. One or morehydrogen atoms in the cycloalkyl groups can be substituted by varioussubstituents like the hydrogen atoms in the C1-C30 alkyl group.

The term “heterocycloalkyl” means a monovalent monocyclic alkyl grouphaving 5 to 30 carbon atoms which contains 1, 2 or 3 heteroatomsselected from N, O, P and S, and the remaining ring atoms of which arecarbon. Examples of such heterocycloalkyl radicals include, piperidyl,tetrahydrofuran, and the like. One or more hydrogen atoms in theheterocycloalkyl radicals can be substituted by various substituentslike hydrogen atoms in the C1-C30 alkyl group.

The term “aryl” used singly or in combination as the substitutent in thepresent invention stands for a C6-C30 carbocycle aromatic systemcontaining one or more rings, and such rings may be pendant from thebackbone or fused together, and exemplary aryl groups include aromaticgroups such as phenyl, naphthyl, tetrahydronaphthyl, indane or biphenyl,more preferably phenyl or naphthyl. The aryl group may have suchsubstituents as hydroxy, halo, haloalkyl, nitro, cyano, alkoxy, loweralkyl amino or the like. One or more hydrogen atoms in the aryl groupcan be substituted by various substituents like hydrogen atoms in theC1-C30 alkyl group.

The term “heteroaryl” means an aromatic group having 6 to 30 ring atoms,which contains 1, 2 or 3 hetero atoms selected from N, O, P and S, andthe remaining ring atoms of which are carbon. The term “heteroaryl” alsomeans an aromatic group forming a quaternary salt or N-oxide which isobtained by oxydizing a heteroatom in the ring. Examples of suchheteroaryl radicals include, but are not limited to, thienyl,benzothienyl, pyridinyl, pyrazinyl, pyrimidinyl, pyridazinyl,quinolinyl, quinoxalinyl, imidazolyl, furanyl, benzofuranyl, thiazolyl,isoxazolyl, benzisoxazolyl, benzimidazolyl, triazolyl, pyrazolyl,pyrrolyl, indolyl, 2-pyridonyl, 4-pyridonyl, N-alkyl-2-pyridonyl, andtheir equivalent N-oxides (e.g., pyridyl N-oxide or quinolinyl N-oxide),and quaternary salts thereof. One or more hydrogen atoms in theheteroaryl radicals can be substituted by various substituents likehydrogen atoms in the C1-C30 alkyls.

The term “heteroarylalkyl” means that some of hydrogen atoms in theheteroaryl group are substituted by alkyl. One or more hydrogen atoms inthe heteroaryl radicals can be substituted by various substituents likehydrogen atoms in the C1-C30 alkyls.

The alkylene substituent used in the present invention are the same asalkyl substituent described above, except that it is inserted into themiddle portion of a bond of the compound rather than being combined intothe end portion.

Methods for preparing hydroxycucurbituril derivatives represented by theformula 1 will now be described.

Among the hydroxycucurbituril derivatives represented by the formula 1,a compound wherein A₁ is OR₁ and A₂ is OR₂, that is, a compoundrepresented by the formula 2 can be prepared by the alkylation orcarboxylation of hydroxycucurbituril represented by the formula 5:

wherein X, R₁, R₂, and n are as described above.

During alkylation, usable examples include a halide selected from thegroup consisting of C1-C30 alkyl halide, C1-C30 alkenyl halide, C1-C30alkynyl halide, and C1-C30 alkylcarboxylic acid anhydride. The amount ofthe halide is 1 to 60 moles per mole of hydroxycucurbituril representedby the formula 5.

The alkyl halide is at least one selected from the group consisting ofmethyl iodide, ethyl iodide, butyl bromide, and mixtures thereof. Usableexamples of the alkenyl halide include allyl bromide, butenyliodide andmixtures thereof. Usable is examples of the alkynyl halide includepropargyl bromide, hexynyl bromide and mixtures thereof.

Examples of the alkylcarboxylic acid anhydride required for thecarboxylation include acetic anhydride, butyric anhydride, dodecanoicanhydride and mixtures thereof.

During the alkylation or carboxylation, at least one base selected fromthe group consisting of triethylamine, potassium hydroxide, potassiumcarbonate and sodium hydride can be used. The amount of the base is 1 to60 moles per mole of hydroxycucurbituril derivative represented by theformula 1.

In order to synthesize a hydroxycucurbituril derivative represented bythe formula 1 wherein R₁ and R₂ are different from each other, two amongalkyl halide, alkenyl halide and alkylcarboxylic acid anhydride are usedtogether or the amounts of the halide and alkylcarboxylic acid anhydrideare adjustably used.

Any solvent capable of dissolving hydroxycucurbituril can be used forthe alkylation and carboxylation, and examples thereof includedimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) and dimethylformamide (DMF). The reactiontemperatures of the alkylation and carboxylation can vary according tothe alkyl halide used, but preferably 0 to 100° C.

A hydroxycucurbituril derivative represented by the formula 12 can beprepared by reacting hydroxycucurbituril derivative represented byformula 5 with C1-C30 alkyl halide in the presence of a base:

wherein R is as defined for R₁ above.

A hydroxycucurbituril derivative represented by the formula 13 can beprepared by reacting hydroxycucurbituril derivative represented byformula 8 with C1-C30 alkyl halide in the presence of a base:

wherein R is as defined for R₁ above, except for the case of beinghydrogen, X, a and b are as described above.

The alkyl halide is at least one selected from the group consisting ofmethyl iodide and butyl bromide, and potassium hydroxide, triethylamine,potassium carbonate or sodium hydride is used as the base. The amount ofthe halide is 1 to 60 moles and the amount of the base is 1 to 60 molesper mole of hydroxycucurbituril. DMSO or DMF is used as the solvent. Thereaction temperature of the alkylation varies according to the kind ofreactant used, but preferably 0 to 100 ° C.

If R₁ and R₂ in the formula 2 are both allyl group, a reaction with acompound represented by the formula 6 is further performed to give acompound represented by the formula 2 (where R₁ and R₂ are both—CH₂CH₂CH₂SR′Y).HS—R′—Y  [Formula 6]wherein R′ is C2-C10 alkylene, and Y is —COOH, —NH₂, OH or SH.

The reaction conditions are not specifically limited, but photoirradiation using UV is preferred.

Examples of the compound represented by the formula 6 include HSCH₂COOH,HSCH₂CH₂NH₂ and the like.

Also, the compound represented by the formula 2 (where R₁ and R₂ areboth —CH₂CH₂OH) can be obtained from the compound of the formula 2(where R₁ and R₂ are both allyl group) by the oxidation using ozone andreduction using NaBH₄.

Among the hydroxycucurbituril derivatives represented by the formula 1,a compound wherein A₁ is SR₁ and A₂ is SR₂, that is, a compoundrepresented by the formula 3, can be prepared by reacting thehydroxycucurbituril represented by the formula 5 with thiol compound:

wherein X and n are as defined above.

During the reaction, an acid such as formic acid, hydrochloric acid,sulfuric acid or p-toluenesulfonic acid can be added.

Examples of the thiol compound include C1-C30 alkyl thiol, C6-C30 arylthiol, C1-C30 hydroxyalkyl thiol or C1-C30 alkylthiol substituted withcarboxylic acid, for example, benzene thiol or propylthiol. The amountof the thiol compound used is 30 to 80 moles per mole of the compoundrepresented by the formula 5.

Among the hydroxycucurbiturils represented by the formula 1 andderivatives thereof, a compound wherein A₁ is NHR₁ and A₂ is NHR₂, thatis, a compound represented by the formula 4, can be prepared by reactingthe hydroxycucurbituril represented by the formula 5 with aminecompound.

During the reaction, an acid such as formic acid, hydrochloric acid,sulfuric acid or p-toluenesulfonic acid can be added.

Examples of the amine compound include C1-C30 alkyl amine, C6-C30 arylamine, C1-C30 hydroxyalkyl amine or C1-C30 alkylamine substituted withcarboxylic acid, for example, propyl amine or aniline. The amount of theamine compound used is 30 to 80 moles per mole of the compoundrepresented by the formula 1.

The hydroxycucurbituril represented by the formula 5 can be obtained byoxidizing cucurbituril represented by the formula 7:

wherein X and n are as defined above.

The oxidation is performed using at least one oxidizer selected from thegroup consisting of O₃, K₂Cr₂O₇, Na₂Cr₂O₇, KMnO₄, NaIO₄, Pb(OC(═O)CH₃)₂,RuO₄, H₂O₂, RuCl₃, CrO₃, (C₅H₅NH)₂Cr₂O₇(PDC), pyridiniumchlorochromate(PCC), NaClO₂, Hg(OC(═O)CH₃)₂, (NH₄)₂S₂O₈, K₂S₂O₈, Na₂S₂O₈, NaHSO₅,KHSO₅, H₂N₂O₂, Cytochrome P-450 enzyme, C₆H₅IO and NaOCl, preferably(NH₄)₂S₂O₈, K₂S₂O₈ or Na₂S₂O₈. The amount of the oxidizer used ispreferably 8 to 60 moles per mole of the compound represented by theformula 7.

Any solvent capable of dissolving the cucurbituril represented by theformula 7 can be used as the solvent, and examples thereof includedistilled water, acidic water and so on. The amount of the solvent is1,000 to 100,000 parts by weight based on 100 parts by weight of thecucurbituril represented by the formula 5.

In the case where (NH₄)₂S₂O₈, K₂S₂O₈ or Na₂S₂O₈ is used as the oxidizer,the temperature of the oxidation reaction is preferably 25 to 100° C. Ifthe reaction temperature is higher than 100° C., a large amount ofundesired byproducts is generated. If the reaction temperature is lowerthan 25° C., the reaction is undesirably very slow.

After the oxidation reaction, the reaction mixture is subjected toworkup, thereby obtaining hydroxycucurbituril derivatives represented bythe formula 5.

In the oxidation, in addition to the hydroxycucurbituril represented bythe formula 5, partially oxidized hydroxycucurbituril derivatives, suchas the compounds represented by the formulas 8 and 9, can be obtained byappropriately adjusting the amount of the oxidizer.

The workup for separating pure forms of the hydroxycucurbiturilderivatives represented by the formulas 5, 8 and 9 from the reactionmixture is carried out as follows.

The reaction mixture containing the hydroxycucurbituril derivativesrepresented by the formulas 5, 8 and 9 is cooled to room temperature,and tetrahydrofuran, methanol or acetone is added thereto, followed byfiltration to remove insoluble materials. Then, methanol vapor isdiffused into the above filtrate, thereby to give pure crystallinematerials. As described in the above, the hydroxycucurbituril ispurified and isolated by the crystallization employing diffusion method.

The hydroxycucurbituril derivatives having the formula 1 according tothe present invention, which can be used as a substitute forcyclodextrin, have cavities having a diameter of 4 to 15 Å, which areable to include compounds such as benzene derivatives, naphthalenederivatives, carborane derivatives, fullerene derivatives, ferrocenederivatives and adamantane derivatives in their cavities.

The hydroxycucurbiturils having the formula 1 and their derivatives caninclude various compounds with different sizes, and have Lewis baseatoms near the cavities of the molecule, which can form complex withcharged metal ions, organometallic ions or organic compounds, and thusthe cucurbituril derivatives can have a wide range of applications.

The hydroxycucurbituril derivatives according to the present invention,for example, hydroxycucurbiturils having the formula 1 can be improvedtheir solubilities in various solvents by introducing alkyloxy groupinstead of hydroxy group through alkylation of hydroxycucurbituril. Inparticular, introduction of allyl group in hydroxycucurbituril havingthe formula 1 can be applied to produce a polymer for chromatographiccolumns of gas chromatography (GC) or high performance liquidchromatography (HPLC), and as drug carriers or additives to cosmetics orfood. Although cucurbituril derivatives have various advantages comparedto the cyclodextrin derivatives, in practice, the cucurbiturilderivatives have been used in limited applications, which is because thecucurbiturils were not able to introduce desired substituents unlike thecyclodextrin derivatives. However, the hydroxycucurbituril derivativesaccording to the present invention can introduce various substituents,providing wider applications than previously known cucurbiturilderivatives.

In detail, the hydroxycucurbituril derivatives according to the presentinvention can be used to remove organic dyes from waste water, heavymetal from water, and radioactive isotopes from radioactive wastes, tocapture and remove unpleasant odor, and air pollutants such as carbonmonoxide, carbon dioxide, NO_(x) and SO_(x), and to deodorize anddecolorize livestock waste water and ironwork waste water. Also, thehydroxycucurbituril derivatives having the formula 1 are applicable inmanufacturing sensors for sensing ammonium ions, organic amines, aminoacid derivatives, nucleic acid bases and neurotransmitters such asacetylcholine, alkali metal or alkaline earth metal ions, and ions ofheavy metals such as lead or mercury. The hydroxycucurbiturilderivatives having the formula 1 can also be used as additives topolymers, cosmetics, artificially scented papers or textiles, pesticidesand herbicides, drugs and food, and used as drug carriers. Thehydroxycucurbituril derivatives having the formula 1 can be used forextraction and purification of fullerene or caborane compounds, and usedas packing materials of chromatographic columns, as additives to gasseparation membranes, as catalysts for various chemical reactions.

An ion sensor using the hydroxycucurbituril represented by the formula 1will now be described.

An ion sensor includes an ion selective membrane. The ion selectivemembrane is fabricated by preparing a composition for forming an ionselective membrane by dissolving an ion selective material, a polymersupport and a plasticizer in a solvent, and removing the solvent fromthe resultant material. An ion selective electrode is fabricated usingthe ion selective membrane. The ion sensor can be manufactured using theion selective electrode by common techniques.

In the composition for forming an ion selective membrane, thehydroxycucurbituril derivative represented by the formula 1 is used asthe ion selective material, in an amount of 0.5 to 10 parts by weightbased on the total amount of the composition. In this range, theefficiency of the manufactured ion sensor is high. The polymer supportserves to support the ion selective membrane, and usable examplesthereof include polyvinylchloride, polyurethane and silicon rubber. Theamount of the polymer support used is preferably 10 to 90 parts byweight based on the total amount of the composition.

The plasticizer serves to make easily membrane formulation, and usableexamples thereof include 2-nitrophenyloctylether, dioctyl adiphate anddioctylsebacate. The amount of the plasticizer used is preferably 10 to70 parts by weight based on the total amount of the composition.

In some cases, the composition for forming an ion selective membrane mayfurther include additives for improvement of sensitivity performance,and examples thereof include potassium tetrakis(4-chlorophenyl)borate,sodiumtetrakis[3,5-bis(1,1,1,3,3,3-hexafluoro-2-methoxy-2-propyl)-phenyl]borate,and potassium tetrakis [3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)-phenyl]borate.

The thus-obtained ion sensor is used to detect heavy metals such aslead, mercury, alkali earth metal or alkali metal or organic materialssuch as organic amines, amino acids or nucleic base.

The present invention is illustrated in more detail by the followingexamples and not intended to limit the scope of the invention.

EXAMPLES Synthesis Example 1 Preparation of hydroxycucurbit[6]urilHaving the Formula 2 (X═O, n=6, R₁═R₂═H)

1.0 g of cucurbituril represented by the formula 7 (X═O, n=6, R₁═R₂═H)and 3.8 g of K₂S₂O₈ were added to 100 mL of distilled water and theresultant mixture was stirred at 85° C. for 12 hours.

Then, the reaction mixture was cooled to room temperature and filteredto remove insoluble materials, and tetrahydrofuran was added thereto ina mixture ratio of the filtrate to tetrahydrofuran being 1:1 by volume.

The resultant mixture was filtered to remove insoluble solid. Thenmethanol vapor was slowly diffused into the filtrate to give a colorlesscrystalline hydroxycucurtbit[6]uril in a yield of 55%.

The hydroxycucurtbit[6]uril was analyzed by X-ray structuredetermination, and the result thereof is shown in FIG. 1.

Referring to FIG. 1, it was confirmed that the hydroxycucurtbit[6]urilhas cavity inside, and can effectively produce inclusion complexes withorganic compounds:

¹H NMR (500 MHz, DMSO) δ: 7.86 (s, 12H), 5.34 (d, J=14.9 Hz, 12H), 4.43(d, J=14.9 Hz, 12H); ¹³C NMR (125 MHz, DMSO) δ: 152.7, 93.8, 40.2.

Synthesis Example 2 Preparation of hydroxycucurbit[5]uril Having theFormula 2 (X═O, n=5, R₁═R₂═H)

The same procedure as in Synthesis Example 1 was carried out usingcucurbituril having the formula 7 (X═O, n=5, R₁═R₂═H) instead ofcucurbituril having the formula 7 (X═O, n=6, R₁═R₂═H) to givehydroxycucurbit[5]uril having the formula 2 (X═O, n=5, R₁═R₂═OH) in ayield of 45%:

¹H NMR (500 MHz, DMSO) δ: 8.23 (s, 10H), 5.30 (d, J=15.1 Hz, 10H), 4.47(d, J=15.1 Hz, 10H); ¹³C NMR (125 MHz, DMSO) δ: 152.9, 93.6, 40.4.

Synthesis Example 3 Preparation of hydroxycucurbit[7]uril Having theFormula 2 (X═O, n=7, R₁═R₂═H)

The same procedure as in Synthesis Example 1 was carried out usingcucurbituril having the formula 7 (X═O, n=7, R₁═R₂═H) instead ofcucurbituril having the formula 7 (X═O, n=6, R₁═R₂═H) to givehydroxycucurbit[7]uril (X═O, n=7, R₁═R₂═OH) in a yield of 40%:

¹H NMR (500 MHz, DMSO) δ: 7.42 (s, 14H), 5.25 (d, J=15.2 Hz, 14H), 4.29(d, J=15.2 Hz, 14H); ¹³C NMR (125 MHz, DMSO) δ: 153.3, 93.5, 40.0.

Synthesis Example 4 Preparation of hydroxycucurbit[8]uril Having theFormula 2 (X═O, n=8, R₁═R₂═H)

The same procedure as in Synthesis Example 1 was carried out usingcucurbituril having the formula 7 (X═O, n=8, R₁═R₂═H) instead ofcucurbituril having the formula 7 (X═O, n=6, R₁═R₂═H) to givehydroxycucurbit[8]uril (X═O, n=8, R₁═R₂═H) in a yield of 45%:

¹H NMR (500 MHz, DMSO) δ: 8.05 (br, 16H), 5.42 (d, J=14.9 Hz, 16H), 4.52(d, J=14.9 Hz, 16H); ¹³C NMR (125 MHz, DMSO) δ: 152.7, 93.8, 40.0.

Synthesis Example 5 Preparation of methyloxycarbonylcucurbit[6]urilHaving the Formula 2 (X═O, n=6, R₁═R₂═(C═O)CH₃)

1.0 g of hydroxycucurbituril (X═O, n=6, R₁═R₂═OH) prepared in SynthesisExample 1 was dissolved in 2 mL of DMSO and then 0.2 mL of aceticanhydride was added thereto. To the reaction mixture was added 0.4 mL oftriethylamine, and then stirred for 4 hours at room temperature.

Then, 8 mL of ethylether was added to the reaction mixture to generatethe precipitate which was filtered to give 0.14 g of a whitemethyloxycarbonylcucurtbit[6]uril represented by the followingstructural formula in a yield of 98%:

wherein n is 6:

¹H NMR (500 MHz, DMSO) δ: 5.57 (d, J=15.9 Hz, 12H), 4.25 (d, J=15.9 Hz,12H), 2.19 (s, 36H).

Synthesis Example 6 Preparation of methyloxycucurbit[6]uril Having theFormula 2 (X═O, n=6, R₁═R₂═CH₃)

0.1 g of hydroxycucurbituril (X═O, n=6, R₁═R₂═OH) prepared in SynthesisExample 1 was dissolved in DMSO and then 50 mg of sodium hydride and 0.1mL of methyl iodide were added thereto, followed by stirring at roomtemperature for 3 hours. Then, 8 mL of ethylether was added to thereaction mixture to generate the precipitate which was filtered to givemethyloxycarbonylcucurtbit[6]uril in a yield of 85%:

¹H NMR (500 MHz, DMSO) δ: 5.51 (d, J=15.2 Hz, 12H), 4.29 (d, J=15.2 Hz,12H), 3.43 (s, 36H).

Synthesis Example 7 Preparation of allyloxycucurbit[5]uril Having theFormula 2 (X═O, n=5, R₁═R₂=allyl)

0.1 g of hydroxycucurbit[5]uril prepared in Synthesis Example 1 wasdissolved in 0.1 g of DMSO and mixed with 60 mg of sodium hydride at 0°C., followed by adding 100 μL of allylbromide after 1 hour and stirringat room temperature for 10 hours. To the reaction mixture was addedwater to generate the precipitate which was filtered to give 0.12 g ofallyloxycucurtbit[5]uril in a yield of 75%:

¹H NMR (500 MHz, DMSO) δ: 5.68-5.57 (m, 20H), 5.51-5.44 (m, 20H), 4.29(d, J=15.2 Hz, 10H), 4.22-4.16 (m, 20H).

Synthesis Example 8 Preparation of allyloxycucurbit[6]uril Having theFormula 2 (X═O, n=6, R₁═R₂=allyl

The same procedure as in Synthesis Example 7 was carried out usingcucurbit[6]uril instead of cucurbit[5]uril to give the desired product:

¹H NMR (500 MHz, DMSO): δ: 5.72-5.67 (m, 24H), 5.56-5.50 (m, 24H), 4.29(d, J=15.2 Hz, 12H), 4.28-4.26 (m, 24H).

Synthesis Example 9 Preparation of allyloxycucurbit[7]uril Having theFormula 2 (X═O, n=7, R₁═R₂=allyl)

The same procedure as in Synthesis Example 7 was carried out usingcucurbit[7]uril instead of cucurbit[5]uril to give the desired product:

¹H NMR (500 MHz, DMSO) δ: 5.77-5.67 (m, 28H), 5.59-5.49 (m, 28H), 4.25(d, J=15.0 Hz, 14H), 4.28-4.26 (m, 28H).

Synthesis Example 10 Preparation of allyloxycucurbit[8]uril Having theFormula 2 (X═O, n=8, R₁═R₂=allyl)

The same procedure as in Synthesis Example 7 was carried out usingcucurbit[8]uril instead of cucurbit[5]uril to give the desired product.

¹H NMR (500 MHz, DMSO): δ: 5.82-5.67 (m, 32H), 5.51-5.45 (m, 32H), 4.19(d, J=15.4 Hz, 16H), 4.26-4.24 (m, 32H).

Synthesis Example 11 Preparation of hexa-butyloxycucurbit[6]uril Havingthe Formula 2 (X═O, n=6, R₁=butyl, R₂═H)

0.1 g of hydroxycucurbit[6]uril prepared in Synthesis Example 1 wasdissolved in 1 mL of dimethylformamide and 70 mg of sodium hydride addedto the above solution at 0° C., followed by adding 100 μL ofbutylbromide after 1 hour. The resulting solution was stirred for 8hours at 80° C. To the reaction mixture was added water to generate theprecipitate which was purified using column chromatography to give 0.09g of hexa-butyloxycucurtbit[6]uril, in a yield of 77%:

¹ ¹H NMR (300 MHz, DMSO) δ: 8.05 (m, 6H), 5.43 (d, J=15.0 Hz, 12H), 4.24(d, J=15.0 Hz, 12H), 3.44 (s, 12H), 1.53 (s, 12H), 1.37 (s, 12H), 0.86(s, 18H).

Synthesis Example 12 Preparation of butyloxycucurbit[6]uril Having theFormula 2 (X═O, n=6, R₁═R₂=butyl)

Stirring was performed at 80° C. for 15 hours instead of 8 hours inSynthesis Example 11 to give butyloxycucurbit[6]uril:

¹H NMR (300 MHz, DMSO) δ: 5.55 (d, J=15.0 Hz, 12H), 4.04 (d, J=15.0 Hz,12H), 3.44 (s, 24H), 1.53 (s, 24H), 1.37 (s, 24H), 0.86 (s, 36H).

Synthesis Example 13 Preparation of dihydroxycucurbit[6]uril Having theFormula 8 (X═O, a=1, b=5)

0.1 g of cucurbit[6]uril represented by the formula 7 was added todistilled water and 0.08 g of K₂S₂O₈ were added thereto, followed bystirring at 85° C. for 8 hours. The same workup procedure as inSynthesis Example 1 was carried out to give dihydroxycucurtbit[6]uril:

¹H NMR (300 MHz, DMSO) δ: 8.05 (m, 2H), 5.53-5.35 (m, 12H), 5.35-5.23(m,10H), 4.33-4.24 (m, 12H).

Synthesis Example 14 Preparation of hydroxyethyloxycucurbit[6]urilHaving the Formula 2 (X═O, n=6, a R₁═R₂=hydroxyethyl)

0.1 g of allyoxycucurbit[6]uril having the formula 2 (R₁═R₂=allyl) wasdissolved in 1 mL of methanol and then ozone was flowed at −78° C. Theflow of ozone was stopped at the moment where the solution turned blue,and the resultant solution was subjected to oxygen stream for 10minutes. To the resultant was added 0.2 g of NaBH₄ and the reactiontemperature was raised to room temperature. After stirring for 10 hours,the solvent was evaporated, 1 mL of distilled water was added thereto,and 300 mg of ion exchange resin, 200 mg of cellite and 100 mg of silicagel were further added thereto, followed by stirring for 30 minutes andremoving the insoluble solid. The aqueous solution was concentrated anddried to give 0.11 g of hydroxyethyloxycucurbit[6]uril represented bythe following formula in a yield of 80%:

¹H NMR (500 MHz, D₂O) δ: 5.55 (d, J=15.9 Hz, 12H), 4.48 (d, J=15.9 Hz,12H), 3.78-3.66 (m, 48H).

Synthesis Example 15 Preparation of carboxylic acidSubstituted-cucurbit[6]uril Having the Formula 2 (X═O, n=6,R₁═R₂═—CH₂CH₂CH₂SCH₂COOH)

0.1 g of allyoxycucurbit[6]uril having the formula 2 (R₁═R₂=allyl) and250 μL of HSCH₂COOH were dissolved in 1 mL of methanol, and thennitrogen was flowed to remove residual oxygen. Then, the resultantmixture was irradiated with a 300 nm UV light for 15 hours. The solventof the reactant was evaporated to provide solid material, which wastriturated with diethylether, filtered and washed with diethylether togive 0.12 g of carboxylic acid substituted-cucurbit[6]uril having thefollowing formula (Q═—CH₂SCH₂COOH) in a yield of 82%:

¹H NMR (500 MHz, DMSO) δ: 12.55 (s, 12H), 5.57 (d, J=15.0 Hz, 12H), 4.08(d, J=15.0 Hz, 12H), 3.55 (s, 24H), 2.80 (t, J=8 Hz, 24H), 1.91 (m,24H).

Synthesis Example 16 Preparation of amine Substituted-cucurbit[6]urilHaving the Formula 2 (X═O, n=6, R₁═R₂═—CH₂CH₂CH₂SCH₂CH₂NH₂)

The same procedure as in Synthesis Example 15 was carried out using 200μL of HSCH₂CH₂NH₂ instead of HSCH₂COOH to give 0.13 g of aminesubstituted-cucurbit[6]uril having the following formula shown inSynthesis Example 15 (Q═—CH₂SCH₂CH₂NH₂) in a yield of 80%:

¹H NMR (500 MHz, D₂O) δ: 5.68 (d, J=15.0 Hz, 12H), 3.99 (d, J=15.0 Hz,12H), 3.54 (t, J=7 Hz, 24H), 2.86-2.84 (m, 24H), 2.51-2.42 (m, 48H),1.89-1.85 (m, 24H).

Synthesis Example 17

The same procedure as in Synthesis Example 1 was carried out usingcucurbit[6]uril having the formula 7 (X═S, n=6, R₁═R₂═H) instead ofcucurbit[6]uril having the formula 7 (X═O, n=6, R₁═R₂═H) to give thedesired product.

Synthesis Example 18

The same procedure as in Synthesis Example 1 was carried out usingcucurbit[6]uril having the formula 7 (X═NH, n=6, R₁═R₂═H) instead ofcucurbit[6]uril having the formula 7 (X═O, n=6, R₁═R₂═H) to give thedesired product.

Practically, the same methods as in Synthesis Examples 17 and 18 wereapplied to obtain a cucurbituril compound having the formula 2 (n=5,X═S, R₁, R₂═H), a cucurbituril compound having the formula 2 (n=7, X═S,R₁, R₂═H), a cucurbituril compound having the formula 2 (n=8, X═S,R₁,R₂═H), a cucurbituril compound having the formula 2 (n=5, X═NH, R₁,R₂═H), a cucurbituril compound having the formula 2 (n=7, X═NH, R₁,R₂═H) and a cucurbituril compound having the formula 2 (n=8, X═NH, R₁,R₂═H) to use the corresponding starting materials, respectively.

Synthesis Example 19

0.1 g of hydroxycucurbit[6]uril having the formula 2 (X═O, n=6, R₁═R₂═H)prepared in Synthesis Example 1 and 0.4 mL of dodecanoic anhydride weredissolved in 2 mL of dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO). Then, 0.4 mL oftriethylamine was added to the mixture and stirred for 3 days at 85° C.Thereafter, water was added to the reaction mixture to precipitate,which was filtered, washed with water and recrystallized from chloroformand hexane to give 0.14 g of white undecyloxycarbonylcucurbit[6]urilrepresented by the following structure (R=carbonylundecyl) in a yield of86%:

¹NMR (300 MHz, (DMSO+CDCl₃ 1:1) δ: 5.53 (d, J=12.2 Hz, 12H), 4.19 (d,J=12.6 Hz, 12H), 2.48 (m, 24H), 1.35 (m, 24H), 1.17(m, 192H), 0.76 (t,36H).

Synthesis Example 20 Preparation of phenylthio-cucurbit[6]uril Havingthe Formula 3 (X═O, n=6, R₁═R₂=phenyl)

0.1 g of hydroxycucurbit[6]uril having the formula 2 (X═O, n=6, R₁═R₂═H)prepared in Synthesis Example 1 was dissolved in a mixed solvent of 0.5mL of formic acid and 1 mL of water, and then 100 μL of benzenethiol wasslowly added thereto at 0° C., followed by slowly raising the reactiontemperature to room temperature and stirring for 5 hours. Then, thesolvent was evaporated to give the solid material, which was filteredand washed with water several times. The recrystallization was carriedout to give 0.12 g of white phenylthio-cucurbit[6]uril having theformula 3 (X═O, n=6, R₁═R₂=phenyl) in a yield of 88%:

¹H NMR (500 MHz, DMSO) δ: 7.45-7.12 (m, 60H), 5.53 (d, J=14.4 Hz, 12H),4.2 (d, J=14.4 Hz, 12H).

Synthesis Example 21 Preparation of propylamino-cucurbit[6]uril Havingthe Formula 4 (X═O, n=6, R₁═R₂=propyl)

The same procedure as in Synthesis Example 20 was carried out usingpropylamine instead of benzenethiol to give propylamino-cucurbit[6]urilhaving the formula 4 (X═O, n=6, R₁═R₂=propyl):

¹H NMR (500 MHz, DMSO) δ: 5.53 (m, 24H), 4.2 (d, J=14.4 Hz, 12H),3.64-3.61 (m, 24H), 1.82-1.77 (m, 24H), 1.2 (t, J=8 Hz, 36H).

Example 1

6.6 mg of hydroxycucurbit[6]uril (CB[6]^(OH)) prepared in SynthesisExample 1 and 10 μL of tetrahydrofuran were dissolved in 0.5 mL of D₂O.Quantitative formation of a 1:1 host-guest complex was confirmed.

Example 2

6.6 mg of hydroxycucurbit[6]uril (CB[6]^(OH)) prepared in SynthesisExample 1 and 10 μL of cyclopentane were dissolved in 0.5 mL of D₂O.Quantitative formation of a 1:1 host-guest complex was confirmed.

Example 3

6.6 mg of hydroxycucurbit[6]uril (CB[6]^(OH)) prepared in SynthesisExample 1 and 1.2 mg of p-toluidine were dissolved in 0.5 mL of D₂O.Quantitative formation of a 1:1 host-guest complex was confirmed.

Example 4

6.6 mg of hydroxycucurbit[6]uril (CB[6]^(OH)) prepared in SynthesisExample 1 and 1.5 mg of p-toluidine hydrochloride were dissolved in 0.5mL of D₂O. Quantitative formation of a 1:1 host-guest complex wasconfirmed.

Example 5

6.6 mg of hydroxycucurbit[6]uril (CB[6]^(OH)) prepared in SynthesisExample 1 and 1.2 mg of 1,4-phenylindiamine were dissolved in 0.5 mL ofD₂O. Quantitative formation of a 1:1 host-guest complex was confirmed.

It was confirmed from Examples 1-5 that the hydroxycucurbiturilderivatives prepared in Synthesis Example 1 could be advantageously usedfor extraction, separation and purification of organic materials.

Example 6 shows that the hydroxycucurbituril derivatives prepared inSynthesis Example 1 can capture gases in their cavities.

Example 6

6.6 mg of hydroxycucurbit[6]uril (CB[6]^(OH)) prepared in SynthesisExample 1 was dissolved in 0.5 mL of D₂O, and isobutene gas was injectedthereto, thereby forming a 1:1 host-guest complex.

To investigate whether the hydroxycucurbituril derivatives prepared inSynthesis Example 1 can effectively transport physiologically activematerials or drugs, the following example was carried out usingacetylcholine chloride as a neurotransmitter.

Example 7

6.6 mg of hydroxycucurbit[6]uril (CB[6]^(OH)) prepared in SynthesisExample 1 and 2.0 mg of acetylcholine chloride were dissolved in 0.5 mLof D₂O, thereby forming a 1:1 host-guest complex.

Since the hydroxycucurbituril derivatives obtained in Synthesis Example1 have Lewis base atoms near the cavities of the molecule, they caneffectively form a complex with metal ions or positively charged organiccompounds. With these features, in order to investigate whether thehydroxycucurbituril derivatives having this property can be applied inmanufacturing sensors for sensing metal ions or ammonium ions, thefollowing example was carried out.

Example 8

A 0.05 M Tris-buffered solution of pH 7.2 was prepared, and then a 5.5mM hydroxycucurbit[5]uril (CB[5]^(OH)) solution prepared in SynthesisExample 2 and 110 mM of a KCl solution were prepared. Then, the bindingconstants of the cucurbit[5]uril derivative was measured using amicrocalorimeter (VP-ITC, manufactured by MicroCal). As a result, itdemonstrates that hydroxycucurbituril derivatives can be used as ionsensors because they could selectively bind with alkali metal ions, aswell as with ammonium ions.

To investigate whether ammonium ions present in an organic solvent canbind with CB[5]^(OH), the following example was carried out.

Example 9

5.5 mg of CB[5]^(OH) prepared in Synthesis Example 2 and 6.7 mg of(NH₄)⁺(BPh₄)⁻ were dissolved in 0.5 mL CD₃CN. Then, ammonium ions in(NH₄)⁺(BPh₄)⁻ could bind with CB[5]^(OH) in an acetonitrile solution.

The following example demonstrates the fabrication method of ionselective membrane and its selective sensitivity to harmful heavy metalssuch as lead ion using CB[5]^(OH) prepared in Synthesis Example 2.

Example 10

A solution obtained by dissolving 1% by weight of CB[5]^(OH) prepared inSynthesis Example 2 in 0.1 mL of methanol, 33% by weight ofpolyvinylchloride used as a polymer support, 65.6% by weight of2-nitrophenyloctylether used as a plasticizer and 0.4 mL oftetrahydrofuran dissolved in 0.4% by weight of potassiumtetrakis(4-chlorophenyl)borate, were homogenously mixed, followed byslowly removing the solvent, to form an ion selective membrane. An ionselective electrode was fabricated with this ion selective membrane. Anelectrode with a silver wire coated with silver chloride in a 0.05 Maqueous KCl solution was used as a reference electrode.

The reference electrode and the ion selective electrode were immersed in250 mL of 1 mM Mg(OAc)₂—HCl buffered solution (pH=4), followed bycontinuously stirring for at least 1 hour until a membrane boundarypotential was stabilized. Thereafter, potential differences weremeasured with adding lead ions to increase the concentration by 10 foldin the range of 10⁻⁶ M to 10⁻³ M using a micropipet at an interval of100 seconds

The result demonstrates that the ion selective electrode usingCB[5]^(OH) prepared in Synthesis Example 2 could be used in detectingharmful heavy metal ions remaining in water, e.g., lead or mercury ions.

The following example demonstrates the fabrication method of ionselective membrane and its selective sensitivity to neurotransmitterssuch as acetylcholine using CB[6]^(OH) prepared in Synthesis Example 1.

Example 11

A solution obtained by dissolving 1% by weight of CB[6]^(OH) prepared inSynthesis Example 1 in 0.1 mL of methanol, 33% by weight ofpolyvinylchloride used as a polymer support, 65.6% by weight of2-nitrophenyloctylether used as a plasticizer and 0.4 mL oftetrahydrofuran dissolved in 0.4% by weight of potassiumtetrakis(4-chlorophenyl)borate, were homogenously mixed, followed byremoving the solvent slowly, to form an ion selective membrane. An ionselective electrode was fabricated with this ion selective membrane. Anelectrode with a silver wire coated with silver chloride in a 0.05 Maqueous KCl solution was used as a reference electrode.

The reference electrode and the ion selective electrode were immersed in250 mL of 0.05 M Tris-HCl buffered solution (pH=7.2), followed bycontinuously stirring for at least 1 hour until a membrane boundarypotential was stabilized. Thereafter, potential differences weremeasured with adding acetylcholine to increase the concentration by 10fold in the range of 10⁻⁶ M to 10⁻¹ M using a micropipet at an intervalof 100 seconds. The selectivity to lead ions was measured in aconcentration of 0.01 M by a fixed solution method.

The result demonstrates that the ion selective electrode usingCB[6]^(OH) prepared in Synthesis Example 1 could be used in clinicalanalysis by selective detection of a neurotransmitter in vivo, e.g.,acetylcholine.

Example 12

1% by weight of allyoxycucurbit[6]uril prepared in Synthesis Example 8,33% by weight of polyvinylchloride and 66% by weight of2-nitrophenyloctylether were dissolved in THF to form a membrane. Withthis membrane, an ion selective electrode was fabricated. Then, theresponses of the electrode with respect to ammonium ion, potassium ion,sodium ion, choline ion and acetylcholine ion were measured in a 0.01MTris-buffered solution. As a result, the selectivity of choline withrespect to acetylcholine was −1.84, ammonium ion −1.31, potassium ion−0.90 and sodium ion −1.16, respectively. The allyloxycurcubit[6]urilaccording to the present invention can be advantageously used inclinical analysis by selective detection of a neurotransmitter in vivo,e.g., acetylcholine, instead of choline which is a major obstacle inanalyzing acetylcholine. The ion selective electrode usingallyoxycucurbit[6]uril can be used in measuring acetylcholine in aconcentration range of 2.1×10⁻⁶ M.

As described above, since the hydroxycucurbituril derivatives of thepresent invention can easily introduce functional groups thereto, theyhave wide applications. Also, since the hydroxycucurbituril derivativesaccording to the present invention can be easily prepared, massproduction thereof is possible for industrial purposes. Further, thehydroxycucurbituril derivatives of the present invention are applied toremove organic dyes from waste water, heavy metal from water andradioactive isotopes from radioactive wastes, to capture and removeunpleasant odor, and air pollutants such as carbon monoxide, carbondioxide, nitrogen oxide and sulfur oxide, and to deodorize anddecolorize livestock waste water and ironwork waste water. Also, thehydroxycucurbituril derivatives are applicable in manufacturing sensorsfor sensing ammonium ions, organic amines, amino acid derivatives,nucleic acids and neurotransmitters such as acetylcholine, alkali metalor alkaline earth metal ions, and ions of heavy metals such as lead ormercury. The hydroxycucurbituril derivatives can also be used asadditives to polymers, cosmetics, artificially scented papers ortextiles, pesticides and herbicides, and drugs, and used as drugcarriers. The hydroxycucurbituril derivatives can be used for theextraction and purification of fullerene or caborane compounds, and usedas packing materials of chromatographic columns, as additives to gasseparation membranes, as catalysts for various chemical reactions. Inparticular, the hydroxycucurbituril derivatives can be advantageouslyused to detect physiologically active materials in vivo, e.g.,acetylcholine. Also, since the solubility in organic solvents can beadjusted, the hydroxycucurbituril derivatives can be used as chemicalreaction sites. Further, since an ion selective electrode can be easilyprepared, an ion sensor that is directly applied for clinical analysisor detection of environmentally contaminating materials, can befabricated with hydroxycucurbituril derivative.

1. A hydroxycucurbituril derivatives represented by the formula 1:

wherein at least one among nA₁ and nA₂ is selected from the groupconsisting of hydroxy, substituted or unsubstituted C1-C30 alkyloxy,substituted or unsubstituted C1-C30 alkenyloxy, substituted orunsubstituted C1-C30 alkynyloxy, substituted or unsubstituted C2-C30carbonylalkyloxy, substituted or unsubstituted C1-C30 thioalkyloxy,substituted or unsubstituted C1-C30 alkylthioloxy, substituted orunsubstituted C1-C30 hydroxyalkyloxy, C1-C30 hydroxyalkylloxy,substituted or unsubstituted C1-C30 alkylsilyloxy, substituted orunsubstituted C1-C30 aminoalkyloxy, substituted or unsubstituted C1-C30aminoalkylthiolalkyloxy, substituted or unsubstituted C5-C30cycloalkyloxy, substituted or unsubstituted C2-C30 heterocycloalkyloxy,substituted or unsubstituted C6-C30 aryloxy, substituted orunsubstituted C6-C20 arylalkyloxy, substituted or unsubstituted C4-C30heteroaryloxy, substituted or unsubstituted C4-C30 heteroarylalkyloxy;substituted or unsubstituted C1-C30 alkylthio, substituted orunsubstituted C1-C30 alkenylthio, substituted or unsubstituted C1-C30alkynylthio, substituted or unsubstituted C2-C30 carbonylalkylthio,substituted or unsubstituted C1-C30 thioalkylthio, substituted orunsubstituted C1-C30 hydroxyalkylthio, substituted or unsubstitutedC1-C30 alkylsilylthio, substituted or unsubstituted C1-C30aminoalkylthio, substituted or unsubstituted C1-C30aminoalkylthiolalkylthio, substituted or unsubstituted C5-C30cycloalkylthio, substituted or unsubstituted C2-C30heterocycloalkylthio, substituted or unsubstituted C6-C30 arylthio,substituted or unsubstituted C6-C20 arylalkylthio, substituted orunsubstituted C4-C30 heteroarylthio, substituted or unsubstituted C4-C30heteroarylalkylthio; substituted or unsubstituted C1-C30 alkylamine,substituted or unsubstituted C1-C30 alkenylamine, substituted orunsubstituted C1-C30 alkynylamine, substituted or unsubstituted C2-C30carbonylalkylamine, substituted or unsubstituted C1-C30 thioalkylamine,substituted or unsubstituted C1-C30 hydroxyalkylamine, substituted orunsubstituted C1-C30 alkylsilylamine, substituted or unsubstitutedC1-C30 aminoalkylamine, substituted or unsubstituted C1-C30aminoalkylthiolalkylamine, substituted or unsubstituted C5-C30cycloalkylamine, substituted or unsubstituted C2-C30heterocycloalkylamine, substituted or unsubstituted C6-C30 arylamine,substituted or unsubstituted C6-C20 arylalkylamine, substituted orunsubstituted C4-C30 heteroarylamine, and substituted or unsubstitutedC4-C30 heteroarylalkylamine, A₁ and A₂ are both hydrogen (H), X is O, Sor NH, and n is an integer between 4 and
 20. 2. The hydroxycucurbiturilderivative represented by the formula 1 according to claim 1, wherein atleast one among nA1 and nA2 is selected from the group consisting ofhydroxy, methoxy, allyloxy, propynyloxy, butyloxy, and C1-C30aminoalkyloxy.
 3. A hydroxycucurbituril derivative represented by theformula 1;

wherein at least one among nA₁ and nA₂ is selected from the groupconsisting of hydroxy, substituted or unsubstituted C1-C30 alkyloxy,substituted or unsubstituted C1-C30 alkenyloxy, substituted orunsubstituted C1-C30 alkynyloxy, substituted or unsubstituted C2-C30carbonylalkyloxy, substituted or unsubstituted C1-C30 thioalkyloxy,substituted or unsubstituted C1-C30 alkylthioloxy, substituted orunsubstituted C1-C30 hydroxyalkyloxy, C1-C30 hydroxyalkylloxy,substituted or unsubstituted C1-C30 alkylsilyloxy, substituted orunsubstituted C1-C30 aminoalkyloxy, substituted or unsubstituted C1-C30aminoalkylthiolalkyloxy, substituted or unsubstituted C5-C30cycloalkyloxy, substituted or unsubstituted C2-C30 heterocycloalkyloxy,substituted or unsubstituted C6-C30 aryloxy, substituted orunsubstituted C6-C20 arylalkyloxy, substituted or unsubstituted C4-C30heteroaryloxy, substituted or unsubstituted C4-C30 heteroarylalkyloxy;substituted or unsubstituted C1-C30 alkylthio, substituted orunsubstituted C1-C30 alkenylthio, substituted or unsubstituted C1-C30alkynylthio, substituted or unsubstituted C2-C30 carbonylalkylthio,substituted or unsubstituted C1-C30 thioalkylthio, substituted orunsubstituted C1-C30 hydroxyalkylthio, substituted or unsubstitutedC1-C30 alkylsilylthio, substituted or unsubstituted C1-C30aminoalkylthio, substituted or unsubstituted C1-C30aminoalkylthiolalkylthio, substituted or unsubstituted C5-C30cycloalkylthio, substituted or unsubstituted C2-C30heterocycloalkylthio, substituted or unsubstituted C6-C30 arylthio,substituted or unsubstituted C6-C20 arylalkylthio, substituted orunsubstituted C4-C30 heteroarylthio, substituted or unsubstituted C4-C30heteroarylalkylthio; substituted or unsubstituted C1-C30 alkylamine,substituted or unsubstituted C1-C30 alkenylamine, substituted orunsubstituted C1-C30 alkynylamine, substituted or unsubstituted C2-C30carbonylalkylamine, substituted or unsubstituted C1-C30 thioalkylamine,substituted or unsubstituted C1-C30 hydroxyalkylamine, substituted orunsubstituted C1-C30 alkylsilylamine, substituted or unsubstitutedC1-C30 aminoalkylamine, substituted or unsubstituted C1-C30aminoalkylthiolalkylamine, substituted or unsubstituted C5-C30cycloalkylamine, substituted or unsubstituted C2-C30heterocycloalkylamine, substituted or unsubstituted C6-C30 arylamine,substituted or unsubstituted C6-C20 arylalkylamine, substituted orunsubstituted C4-C30 heteroarylamine, and substituted or unsubstitutedC4-C30 heteroarylalkylamine, A₁ and A₂ are both hydrogen (H), X is O, Sor NH, and n is an integer between 4 and 20, wherein thehydroxycucurbituril is useful as additives to polymers, cosmetics,artificially scented papers or textiles, pesticides, herbicides, anddrugs or food.
 4. A hydroxycucurbituril derivative represented by theformula 1:

wherein at least one among nA₁ and nA₂ is selected from the groupconsisting of hydroxy, substituted or unsubstituted C1-C30 alkyloxy,substituted or unsubstituted C1-C30 alkenyloxy, substituted orunsubstituted C1-C30 alkynyloxy, substituted or unsubstituted C2-C30carbonylalkyloxy, substituted or unsubstituted C1-C30 thioalkyloxy,substituted or unsubstituted C1-C30 alkylthioloxy, substituted orunsubstituted C1-C30 hydroxyalkyloxy, C1-C30 hydroxyalkylloxy,substituted or unsubstituted C1-C30 alkylsilyloxy, substituted orunsubstituted C1-C30 aminoalkyloxy, substituted or unsubstituted C1-C30aminoalkylthiolalkyloxy, substituted or unsubstituted C5-C30cycloalkyloxy, substituted or unsubstituted C2-C30 heterocycloalkyloxy,substituted or unsubstituted C6-C30 aryloxy, substituted orunsubstituted C6-C20 arylalkyloxy, substituted or unsubstituted C4-C30heteroaryloxy, substituted or unsubstituted C4-C30 heteroarylalkyloxy;substituted or unsubstituted C1-C30 alkylthio, substituted orunsubstituted C1-C30 alkenylthio, substituted or unsubstituted C1-C30alkynylthio, substituted or unsubstituted C2-C30 carbonylalkylthio,substituted or unsubstituted C1-C30 thioalkylthio, substituted orunsubstituted C1-C30 hydroxyalkylthio, substituted or unsubstitutedC1-C30 alkylsilylthio, substituted or unsubstituted C1-C30aminoalkylthio, substituted or unsubstituted C1-C30aminoalkylthiolalkylthio, substituted or unsubstituted C5-C30cycloalkylthio, substituted or unsubstituted C2-C30heterocycloalkylthio, substituted or unsubstituted C6-C30 arylthio,substituted or unsubstituted C6-C20 arylalkylthio, substituted orunsubstituted C4-C30 heteroarylthio, substituted or unsubstituted C4-C30heteroarylalkylthio; substituted or unsubstituted C1-C30 alkylamine,substituted or unsubstituted C1-C30 alkenylamine, substituted orunsubstituted C1-C30 alkynylamine, substituted or unsubstituted C2-C30carbonylalkylamine, substituted or unsubstituted C1-C30 thioalkylamine,substituted or unsubstituted C1-C30 hydroxyalkylamine, substituted orunsubstituted C1-C30 alkylsilylamine, substituted or unsubstitutedC1-C30 aminoalkylamine, substituted or unsubstituted C1-C30aminoalkylthiolalkylamine, substituted or unsubstituted C5-C30cycloalkylamine, substituted or unsubstituted C2-C30heterocycloalkylamine, substituted or unsubstituted C6-C30 arylamine,substituted or unsubstituted C6-C20 arylalkylamine, substituted orunsubstituted C4-C30 heteroarylamine, and substituted or unsubstitutedC4-C30 heteroarylalkylamine, A₁ and A₂ are both hydrogen (H), X is O, Sor NH, and n is an integer between 4 and 20, wherein thehydroxycucurbituril is useful in storing drugs, extracting and purifyingfullerene or carborane compounds, as drug carriers, packing materials ofchromatographic columns, additives to gas separation membranes orcatalysts for various chemical reactions.